Five Years Ago
Celestia has invited me to the palace after a few days of earning my P.h.D. in psychology. She requested my presence to personally award me for excelling at the top of my class during the four years in the university. I wondered why would she want to reward me for something so trivial. But she did gave me a recommendation to the university and was willing to make enough time for me. But why?
I was being escorted by two guards, one on my left and another at my right, because of many obvious reasons, mainly they just plain don’t trust me.
“Hey! We’re here.” Said the guard at my right, who interrupted my thoughts. We stopped in front of tall door decorated with Princess Celestia’s cutie mark. He took a step and lightly knocked on the door.
*Knock
*Knock
*Knock
The door creaked opened to reveal Princess Celestia, getting ready for courts and negotiations. As she levitated the chest piece, shoes, and crown, she put on the ensemble and turned to face me.
“Hello Sapiunt.” Said Princess Celestia towering over me and giving me a smile. She was taller than all ponies in Equestria. And her multi-colored mane flowing freely, it is strange for it to flow without any winds present and it captivates me.
“Hello Princess.” I replied, bringing myself back to reality and bowing down respectfully.
“Please, no formalities with me.” She said, motioning her right forehoof to rise.
“Of course princ- I mean Celestia.” I said to her, as I rose to see the princess walking to the balcony and I joined her, my forehooves on the railing. Looking down I saw all of Canterlot, including the Royal Garden, the famous Galeries Lafayette, and Celestia’s Musical Hall. It was a breathtaking sight, looking down and feel like I’m on top of the world.
“Well, I’m here to accept the award you personally wanted to give.” I asked, still gazing at the crowd of ponies going about their everyday lives below.
“Well, there’s that. But I wanted to actually to talk to you.” She said as she turned around to the couch and sat on it.
“Do you want to join me for tea. This is the only free time I get until day court starts in 2 hours.” As she uses her magic to lift the teapot from the small table in front of the couch and pour it into 2 cups. The tea set was crafted by the famous Breeze family, which was made by the youngest member, Blue Breeze.
“Why thank you.” I said to her as I grabbed the teacup and took a sip of the warm liquid. It tasted of jasmine green tea with a hint of lemon.
“Where you were born?” She asked out of nowhere with seriousness in her eyes.
“Well, I was born on Las Pegasus. Raised by the Novum family, famous for owning Banned Mare Casino. And-” I said as I was cut off by the princess.
“No! I meant where you REALLY come from.” She interrogated, almost using the Royal Canterlot Voice.
“Whatever do you mean?” I asked, trying to act innocent.
“Stop acting stupid! I know that you weren’t born in Las Pegasus, I can tell by your accent.” She said, getting more agitated.
“Me? Stupid? Stupid is such a strong word Celestia, I prefer the word idiot.” I said as I walked over to her couch and sat down.
“Ngunit ikaw ay tama tungkol sa aking impit, I was born in the North Star Isles. Anyway, why are you seem so keen on learning about me?”
“The Isles is an isolationist country and they would never send one of their own to other parts of the world without military involvement.” She explained, she was breathing hard and I can tell she was about to cry of frustration.
“This tea is really good, would you mind sharing the recipe?” I asked her as I set the cup back down on the platter. Looking at her face, her eye twitches in frustration. A common habit by many ponies, including myself.
“Just tell me why are you here?” She asked me as her face drew closer to mine. Her lips inches away from mine as the smell of her perfume intoxicated me, vanilla.
“I’m sorry princess, but my being here in Equestria is strictly classified information between the Novums and the Republic.” I answered as I turn ,my face away from her to hide my burning red cheeks.
“Oh my, look at you!’ She turn my face as our eyes met,”So do you have any mare in mind?” My heart beated rhythmically as my mind was blank and my body, doing what nature intended to do. The memory fades away and nothing is left, but darkness and the sounds of my heart
*Beep
*Beep
*Beep
Slowly opening my eyes, I see a white ceiling above me. Moving my head around, I noticed that I’m covered in white sheets and a few needles in my right forehoof. The smell of disinfectant in the air and the annoying sounds of life support, tells me that I’m in Ponyville’s General Hospital. Looking around the room, I see flowers, balloons, cards, and stuffed animals from current and past clients.
I see Ditzy sleeping across from me and holding my hoof. I didn’t want to disturb her, she looks so peaceful. But I have to let her know that I’m okay. So I began to wear my usual facade and gently nudge her head.
“Huh?” said Ditzy looking at me smiling at her.
“Hey! You’re Okay! I thought that you’ll never come out!” yelled Ditzy with dried tears and her mane was a mess.
“What do you mean I’ll never come out?” I asked Ditzy, my voice still raspy.
“When the doctors examine your condition, Pinkie’s attack collapsed your lungs and you suffered a severe concussion which put you into a coma.” She explained wiping off new tears.
“How long was I in a coma?” I asked her, wondering how much time pass by.
“You’ve been in a coma for about three weeks.” She said.
“Ditzy, I’m happy that you’ll take the time to visit me.” I said to her, a little shocked for doing such a thing.
“Sappy, you sounded shocked that I’m visiting you.” She said.
“Well, you have a job and two daughters to take care of.” I replied. “But I still need you, I have a busy schedule with work that prevents me from taking care of Sparkler and Dinky.” She said. In one of her letters, she put me to as one their emergency contact if something happens to them.
“Yes, but you said Sparkler was old enough to take care of herself and Dinky when you’re not around the house. Also, your parents live nearby Ponyville.” I explained to her.
“Yes, but I need a father figure in their life since their father died.” She countered.
“So where is Pinkie?” I asked, changing the subject.
“She’s in the mental ward downstairs, restrained by magic and a straitjacket.”She replied, dropping the subject.
“Can I go visit Pinkie now? I need to know if she is okay.” I asked her as I slowly turn to get off the bed. But the pain surged through my body like a tsunami and it felt like being burned with a dragon’s fire.
“Hey lay back down.” She said worriedly as she push me back into my bed.
“Fine.” I replied, considering my condition is worse than before.
She stayed with me as we talked about what had happen around Ponyville while I was in my coma. Pinkie’s reputation as a harmless, party pony was mixed after the attack. The two ponies who rescued me from the brink of death was a librarian by the name of Twilight Sparkle and the weather control pegasus, Rainbow Dash.
Turns out they were curious of me as they heard Pinkie talked about me on every chance. Hearing about Pinkie’s friends interest me more than the daily routines of Ponyville. As I was about to ask Ditzy about this Twilight and Rainbow Dash, I heard my door creaked open, revealing a white earth pony with pink mane and a nurse hat.
“Mister Sapiunt! You’re awake!” The nurse said as she went to my bedside and check me. Her careful hooves touch my coat, checking on the wounds as she makes her preliminary results.”Well, you recover from you coma. But there is still complications as your lungs hasn’t fully recovered.”
“I see, but why my lungs hasn’t recovered?” I asked her,”Last time I remember, there was a spell that can heal damaged organs.”
“Well, er... we don’t have any unicorns who have the aptitude to perform such a spell on you.” She gave me a false smile. Her face seemed panicked for a moment and soon regain her composure. To the untrained eye, it would seem that the nurse hasn’t change. But I can see that there was some kind of hidden intent.
“I heard from Ditzy that the princess is coming to Ponyville later today.” I said as look at one of the gifts around me, a simple love letter. The letter is within hoof reach and I would rather read it in private than have ponies read them with me.”Shouldn’t you girls get ready for her majesty arrival?”
“Oh Celestia! That’s remind me!” Ditzy said as she opened the window across the room.”I still have to go to the post office!” She jumped out of the window as I heard a crash or two until the flaps of her wings was distant.
“Nurse?” I look back the nurse who went over to close the window.
“Redheart and no I’m not interested in a date right now.” She replied as she went towards the door. I gaze at her flank of a red cross and four small hearts between it.
“I was about to ask what will happen to Pinkie right now. But if you want we could always go out for dinner at the cafeteria.” I smiled as she left laughing, sounding more malicious than joy.
She left the room, leaving me alone with the wilting flowers, deflating balloons, and unopened letters. Looking at the letter, I grab the edges of the paper as it was seal with a pink heart. Removing the seal, I began to read the letter:
Dear Sapiunt,
I have dreamt of you every night, wishing for your return to the Isles. Waiting for you, my love, to feel your warm embrace. But I heard from the stars that you were recently attacked and you are now suffering in the hospital. This I shall not allow, so in three weeks I shall arrive to Equestria to tend to your injuries and take you away from there. Expect me soon.~
Your lover, High Priestess Amour of Oasis
I heard the door creaked open and looking up to reveal a lavender, unicorn mare with indigo mane and pink highlights. Her cutie mark is three six-pointed, purple star with several smallers, white stars surrounding it.
“Oh hello, sorry for intruding.” The mare said as she looked around my room.”Are you Sapiunt by chance?” Looking behind her I see something strange levitating behind her.
“Why yes and you are?” I move my head around to try to catch a glimpse of the object behind her.
“Twilight Sparkle, and I heard many things about you from Pinkie. She’s a nervous wreck after that and it provided no comfort that you’re slipping in and out.” She answered as the object in question was brought into my face. A first edition copy of Daring Do and the Griffin Goblet.”So do you like it? “
Grabbing the hardcover of the book, I inspected the pages and it was even autographed by the author. “But why?” I look at her in sheer disbelief as she just gave me a gift, even though I just met her.
“Well, if you wake up and have nothing to do all day but stay in bed.” She said as she brought up a chair and sat on it.”I figure to bring you some form of entertainment.” “I guess not, but I have already read this book and I’m currently reading Moving with the Wind.” I said as I returned the book to the original owner.
“Moving with the Wind?” Her mind buzzing with interest, judging by her reaction.”Isn’t that where Atom and his friends fight evil and find love?”
“Yeah that’s the one.” I smiled as I never met anypony like her before. I may not look like a bookworm, but I love how stories takes the readers away into a new world.”I’m at the part where Atom meets Janvier, the Draco-Knight.”
“No way! I have already finished that chapter and it is interesting of how much duty meant to him.” She responded as we talked about Atom and his friends’ adventures throughout Equestria.
Then we moved on to the fantasy tales of pony-humans relations and how they triumph over society. After that, we talked about my favorite genre, romance. I don’t know why, but when I was young, the concept of love allures me.
“Sapiunt, I never knew you were a bibliophile.’ She smiled as she playfully punch my hooves. ”To be honest, I never met anypony who's so passionate about books as me.”
“Oh stop it Twilight, you’re just flattering me.” I block her hits as I look at the clock as it nears noon.”Besides, books isn’t the only things I’m so passionate about.”
“Yeah, being Equestria’s miraculous psychologist isn’t enough.” She replied as strands of her hair falls in front of her face. “And being a former top student of the Grand Scholar’s University, is not a big deal.” I’m amazed of how much she looked into my past and my reputation at Canterlot.
“Miss Twilight , are you stalking me?” I teased as I move the strands of hair away from her beautiful face. As I fired those words, she seemed to panicked as she jump from the chair and started to spout nonsense. “Oh no, oh no, oh no!” I watch her pace back and forth in the room. “I’m not stalking you or anything, I mean I just admired y-your study habits that’s all.” She looked at the clock on the wall nearby and I follow her action, it is one p.m.
“Twilight, calm down, what’s got you all hyped up about?” I ask her as she began to pace faster than before.”I know that everypony is tensed since I heard the princesses is coming to town, but-”
“That’s just it! The princess told me that they are arriving by two p.m.!”” She yelled.”And it’s very important because they are here for Pinkie, but mostly you.”
“And why would they have interest in m-”
”Now hold still while I heal up your lungs.” She cut me off as her horn began to glow.
As I watch in amazement of how her magic began to engulf my lungs and I began to breathe easier. But I do doubt about her aptitude of performing such a spell, because what I heard from Canterlot that she is a magical prodigy and rumored to be the next Starswirl.
“Wait a minute, how did you know that-”
“My love where are you!?” We heard a ear-splitting scream from the distance as I looked out the window to see a horrifying sight.